Touched by a Phoenix Read Free

second before she asked, “But that doesn’t explain how you are going to move signals at the speed of light.”
    “I’m not. Alexandria, dark energy exists on a cosmic scale. I’m going to use the energy’s force to transport the signals through time and space as if they didn’t exist.”

    Phillip continued to observe Alexis as she interrogated Brad in the most charming way, hammering him with one question after another. Phillip noted how deeply Alexis delved into Brad’s work habits, ethics, thought processes, and so on. She examined each response as if she were the ruling judge.
    He was impressed with how well Brad was holding his own against Alexis. If he were uncomfortable with her line of questions, he hid it well.
    Phillip had yet to meet anyone who wasn’t afraid of his daughter. Men seemed to cower before her, which he thought strange. She was the most loving person you would ever want to meet, but he supposed you would have to get past that hard shell of hers before you found the part of Alexis she guarded so carefully.
    Phillip kept a watchful eye on the interaction between the two. Hmm, perhaps we got more than we bargained for. He shook his head. Poor boy, he thought. He has no idea what he’s up against: The formidable Alexandria Saunders, a force to be reckoned with—much like a volcano. Perhaps I should have paid him more.

Chapter One

    “ D ammit Alexis, I want grandchildren!”
    “Phillip,” Catherine chided as she laid her hand on his arm. “Don’t be so hard on her.”
    “Mother, don’t fret, this isn’t the first time we’ve had this conversation and somehow I doubt it will be the last,” Alexis sighed in exasperation.
    His tone calmer, Phillip went on, “Alexis, honey, you’re twenty-nine years old. There is more to life than work, my dear; I want you to find love and happiness.”
    Although loving, her father’s tone was tight and frustrated. Alexis realized this was one argument she would not win, at least not today. Phillip had been relentless about her getting a life since hiring Brad a few months ago.
    “Father, I love the company that you and Dad built and I love my job. You pay me well and it has afforded me with a wonderful home and life, not to mention the fact that I have the most loving parents in the world. What more can a girl ask for?”
    “A man,” Phillip stated in his most pleasant tone.
    “I don’t need a man to give you grandchildren!”
    A sharp puff of air sounded from the other side of the table. “Alexandria Nicole!” It was her mother’s turn to be shocked.
    Alexis sighed, “I would love to have a family someday but I haven’t met Mr. Right, and I won’t settle for less. Mother, you understand, don’t you?”
    “Exactly how do you think you are going to find your Mr. Right when you are at work before I arrive in the morning and still burning the midnight oil when I leave? I hired Brad for a reason…to give us both some free time for our own lives.”
    “Father, do not start with me. You hired Brad to make technological advancements to our surveillance system and between the two of you and your little agreements, I’ve been traveling for the last three months with an arrogant prick!”
    “Alexis, watch your mouth. You know damn well Brad is the best technology guru in the industry, quite possibly the world. Hell, he’s a genius and his developments are going to carry AAS into the 22nd Century, securing your future.”
    Phillip saw the stubbornness beginning to set in, her disapproving scowl forcing him to soften his gaze. He took a moment to decide how best to handle her maddening tenacity. Aah, her heartstrings.
    He flashed her a sheepish grin, his warm blue eyes softening with love. “Alexis, I am getting older and I want to spend more time with Catherine. You know I want to turn the company over to you next year.” He laid his hand atop hers. “Honey, I want to make up for lost time with your mother and I’d like to do it while